Contentious Levete and Barber schemes pulled from planning

Developer Londonewcastle has withdrawn plans for a controversial tower scheme by Amanda Levete and a ‘parallel’ project by Peter Barber Architects in east London

Levete’s proposed 23-storey, mixed-use development between Bethnal Green Road and Redchurch Street was branded ‘alien’ by some local groups and attacked for being too high after it was put in for planning earlier this year (see AJ 20.05.2011).

The ‘twisting’ skyscraper, along with the nearby 43-home Fleet Street Hill scheme designed by Peter Barber Architects (see AJ 11.04.2011), will now be reworked and resubmitted in early 2012.

A spokesman for Londonewcstle said: ‘Following continued dialogue with officers of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, [we] have taken the decision to withdraw the planning applications at the Huntingdon Industrial Estate and Fleet Street Hill.

‘Revised proposals will be discussed with key stakeholders before the submission of new planning applications early in the New Year.’

He added: ‘Londonewcastle and UKEI remain committed to the development of these two important sites, to provide high quality new housing and commercial space in buildings of architectural distinction.’

Defending her designs back in May Levete said: ‘There’s a general presumption against tall buildings in this city but it’s a position that’s at odds with the innovative, energetic spirit that is London. Everyone accepts that this site is barren and needs redeveloping. But we have to be realistic – it makes no commercial sense whatsoever to develop it without a certain critical mass.’ (read the full interview here)

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